The main attraction
Published Saturday July 4th, 2009
Recruiting top talent Human resources firm Robertson Surrette is wooing high finance and accounting professionals with great jobs and opportunities in New Brunswick
When it comes to attracting talent to New Brunswick, from mid-level professionals to top executives, Ian Sullivan, a partner with human resources firm Robertson Surrette, pushes the benefits of small-city life.
"There's a lot of people who are looking for a better quality of life, a better place to raise their families," he says. "I think that in communities like Moncton and Saint John ... there's a lot of opportunities for people to have good jobs - and maybe it's a little bit lower (pay) than what they were used to in Ontario or out West or somewhere else - but good jobs with a great place to live, good cost of living."
He says this pitch works for professionals that have kids or are planning to in the near future, but it is tougher to attract the younger talent. Despite the challenge he believes young professionals will come as well they just need to hear the right message.
"Maybe right now the word is not getting out to people about some of the great jobs and great opportunities that there are here in our province," Sullivan says. "I think once people realize there are good organizations to work for, great cultures, opportunities for growth and development, not everybody will come, but you will attract people."
Sullivan has recently been designated Robertson Surrette's partner responsible for New Brunswick and P.E.I. and will lead the firm as it tries to get more business in the two provinces.
Sullivan, 44, currently splits his time between Moncton and Halifax, but will work full-time in New Brunswick by next spring.
The Antigonish, N.S. native joined Robertson Surrette three years ago, after eight years as a human resournces consultant for North American firm Morneau Sobeco. Previosly he spent three years with Maritime Life and eight years at TD Bank.
The St. Francis Xavier University business graduate specializes in mid- to high-level finance and accounting recruitment for Robertson Surrette.
With good finance and accounting professionals in high demand and short supply Sullivan says these people are a challenge to recruit because they can afford to be choosy.
"You might be able to find the best person, but if you don't have a good opportunity or the organization isn't a desirable organization to work with it's going to be tough," he says.
This is one area he sees that New Brunswick needs to recruit in, but it's definitely not the only one.
"With all that's happening in New Brunswick I think there's going to be a high demand for engineering specialist in the province," Sullivan says.
While the firm hopes it can increasingly help New Brunswick companies address their staffing concerns going forward, Sullivan points out Roberson Surrette's presence here is not new.
The firm has had New Brunswick-based partners before and has been offering recruiting, human resources consulting and career search services in the province since it launched more than 30 years ago.
"In the last two weeks there's probably been four or five of us meeting with clients in New Brunswick," Sullivan says.
The firm, which has doubled its business over the last five years, will have three people based full-time in Moncton, once Sullivan moves his family there. The firm also has one person on the Island, five people in St. John's, and the remainder of its 35 employees at the Halifax headquarters.
While Sullivan has no specific growth goals for New Brunswick, he hopes his presence and hard work will mean more business for his firm.
"It's an area we think has tremendous potential for us," he says.
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